As part of the Beaufort Historical Association’s Living History series, Pat Tester will conduct a three day spinning workshop Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, May 2, 3 and 5 from 1:30 – 4:00 pm each day in the Beaufort Site’s Welcome Center at 130 Turner Street. The workshop is open to the public, but seating is limited for the hands on spinning experience.
While the exact date is unknown, evidence suggests that spinning was practiced as early as 20,000 years ago in Europe. Whether by hand or machine, spinning is the process of drawing out a few fibers and winding them into a ball or onto a stick. In the beginning, spinning was all done by hand, before the winding stick was modified into the hand spindle. From there, the spinning wheel was invented as a way to mechanically turn the spindle. By the 13th century the spinning wheel was introduced to Europe and two centuries later a more complex wheel was introduced. Both spinning wheel designs were brought to America with the early colonists. Learn more about the history behind the art of spinning with Ms. Tester through the hands on spinning workshop.
The workshop is limited to 6 participants and has a materials fee of $15. To reserve your spot or for information on this and other Living History Programs, stop by the Beaufort Historic Site Welcome Center at 130 Turner Street, call 252-728-5225 or 800-575-7483, or visit www.beauforthistoricsite.org.